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Asia Minute: Japan Still Struggling With COVID-19 Cases

AP Photo/Koji Sasahara

Japan has again expanded its state of emergency related to COVID-19. Eight more regions have been added to the government’s list and the impact is affecting the country’s health care system.

Here’s one noteworthy statistic Japan tracks: the number of seriously ill COVID-19 patients.

Through Wednesday, that figure has set a new daily record for 13 days in a row — now at nearly 2,000.

More than 70% of the nation’s prefectures are now in a state of emergency.

Tokyo has been under that state of emergency for a little more than six weeks and daily new cases have risen by 10 times since it began — to about 5,000 — and 25,000 nationwide.

That government emergency order is less restrictive than in some countries.

Authorities have urged restaurants to close by 8 p.m. — and not serve alcohol.

But local media report many establishments are defying those rules — and the work-from-home option for office employees is less common than in many places hit by the virus.

National broadcaster NHK reports about 25,000 patients are recovering at home because of a shortage of hospital beds.

The government’s top medical adviser told a parliamentary committee Wednesday that “the severely tight medical systems will continue for a while.”

Meanwhile, vaccinations continue — following a slow start.

The government says about 40% of the population has been fully vaccinated.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga wants to reach 60% coverage by the end of next month.

Bill Dorman has been the news director at Hawaiʻi Public Radio since 2011.
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